"D-Sub" Connectors.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Jones
  • Start date Start date
Michael Jones

Michael Jones

New member
OK. Stupid question time:

I'm looking at a new AD/DA convertor. I currently run a Steinberg 8io. 8 channels of 24 bit AD/DA conversion at 48k sampple rate.
The physical I/O's on the back of the unit are xlr and/or 1/4". OK. No problem there; the output from my mic pre's are xlr. Hooks right up. No sweat. Works great!

But, I'm thinking of upgrading the converters to 24 bit at 96k.
The 96k units I would consider are Apogee & Lucid.
Both of these units use "D-Sub" connectoins at the rear of the unit for I/O.

How do you get from an xlr on the output of the mic pre to a d-sub on the input of the converter?
 
Michael Jones said:
OK. Stupid question time:

I'm looking at a new AD/DA convertor. I currently run a Steinberg 8io. 8 channels of 24 bit AD/DA conversion at 48k sampple rate.
The physical I/O's on the back of the unit are xlr and/or 1/4". OK. No problem there; the output from my mic pre's are xlr. Hooks right up. No sweat. Works great!

But, I'm thinking of upgrading the converters to 24 bit at 96k.
The 96k units I would consider are Apogee & Lucid.
Both of these units use "D-Sub" connectoins at the rear of the unit for I/O.

How do you get from an xlr on the output of the mic pre to a d-sub on the input of the converter?
Click to expand...

You have to either wire the connectors yourself or look to see if anyone makes them as a product. They are tricky to wire yourself and should be done by a competent tech who is familiar with twisted pairs and shielding.
 
D-subs are pretty common. A d-sub cable has the db-25 connector on one end, broken out to whatever connectors you need on the other end. You can buy pre-made d-subs from the cable-up catalog or from Hosa, just to name two makers of the more affordable variety.
 
I'm finally getting my whole Dsub rig together. Tascam uses Dsub a lot and I bought a couple of Tascam Dsub patchbays from JakeOWA. My Radar uses Dsubs so it was a handy way to wire it up directly to the patch bay using dsub-dsub cables. It basically gives me a patchbay interface for the Radar i/o.

The best deal I've seen on decent quality Dsub breakouts is Horizon and ProCo for around $50-80 for 1/4" balanced ends. Not sure about XLR prices. You can easily pay over $100 on the big names. Each Dsub carries 8 balanced channels.

Jake has a bunch of cable and connectors. He might want to wire up some for a price. The only problem is the shipping cost from Hawaii. If you only need 8 channels probably better to just order one ready made.
 
OK cool. Thanks for the help. I just wasn't sure if there was such ananimal as a ready-made d-sub to XLR cable.

I like the markertek cables....
 
Michael, you can buy them pre-made or you can buy the connectors and make them yourself. Problem is by the time you buy all the parts and 8 channel cable you are near the price of a new cable.

If you need some help with custom cables drop me a PM and I'll be more than glad to help.
 
Good suggestion about hotwired. I've had them build several snakes for me, and I've been completely happy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top